When The Bartender Cries
View chords used in this chart
[Intro: ]C G F C G F
Verse1:
C G F
This bar has been my home away from her
C G C G
Used to be, she was missing me
C G F
Now she's moving in with her best friend
C G C G
And I'm the only one who wants what used to be
C G F
I'm here because today I lost it all
C G C G
I didn't want to drink at home alone
C G F C
I just can't believe all my hopes and dreams are falling
G C G
Like a row of dominoes
Chorus1:
C G
I thought the man behind the bar
F G
Had heard it all before
C Am G
My story must have caught him by surprise
Am G
Cause when he handed me my double
F C
There were tears in his eyes
F C
You know you're in trouble
G C G F
When the bartender cries
Verse2:
C G F
He said, "Last night you swore you'd never drink again"
C G C G
I said, "Next time, I'm really gonna try
C G F
So if she ever calls for me
F C
Oh, you can finally tell her, "He ain't here"
G C G
And it won't be a lie
Chorus2:
C G
I asked the man behind the bar
F G
What he'd been crying for
C Am G
He said, "That bottle used to be a friend of mine
Am G
Now I've stopped drinking doubles
F C
But I pour them all of the time
F C
Son, you know you're in trouble
G C
When the bartender cries"
Bridge:
F G C Am F
As I saw my own reflection staring back at me, I knew
F G (pause)
Every single word he said was true
Chorus3:
(no chord) C G
Well, I told the man behind the bar
F G C
I thought I'd seen it all before
Am G
Till I saw the sadness in his eyes
Am G
That's when I put down my double
F C
And said my last goodbyes
F C
'Cause you know you're in trouble
G Am
When the bartender cries
F C G
Oh, you know you're in trouble
C G F C
When the bartender cries
How to play When The Bartender Cries
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.